If you spent any time in a living room during the early 2000s, you probably have a specific kind of internal Pavlovian response to the primary colors of the original Wiggles lineup. The blue, red, yellow, and purple shirts are iconic. But for a certain niche of collectors and parents who lived through the 2003-2004 era, one specific title sticks out because it was just a little bit... weirder than the rest. The Wiggles Whoo Hoo Wiggly Gremlins DVD wasn't just another collection of songs; it was a bizarre, puppet-heavy experiment that remains a fascinating time capsule of the group at their absolute peak of global popularity.
The Wiggles were everywhere then. They were selling out arenas faster than rock stars. Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how much of a juggernaut they were. While "Hot Potato" and "Fruit Salad" were already staples, the group was constantly looking for ways to expand the "Wiggle World" beyond just the four guys and the core characters like Dorothy the Dinosaur or Wags the Dog. That is exactly how we ended up with the Gremlins.
What Was The Wiggles Whoo Hoo Wiggly Gremlins DVD Actually About?
Most people assume this was a movie. It wasn’t. It was actually a clever repackaging of episodes from their second television series, which had originally aired on the Disney Channel and the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). The "Wiggly Gremlins" themselves were these mischievous, colorful puppet creatures that lived inside the walls of the Wiggle House. Their whole deal was causing minor, G-rated chaos. Think things like making the TV remote disappear or messing with Anthony’s food.
It was a departure. Up until that point, the "magic" of the Wiggles was mostly grounded in human interaction and simple costumed characters. Adding digital-looking (though mostly physical puppetry) gremlins felt like a nod to the changing landscape of kids' TV in the early 2000s, where things were getting a bit more frantic and "random."
The DVD features a heavy rotation of tracks that fans still hum today. You’ve got "Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles!" and "Music with Murray." But the framing device of the gremlins gave it a narrative thread that the earlier, more concert-style videos lacked. It was less of a stage show and more of a sitcom for toddlers.
The Mystery of the "Whoo Hoo" Era
There is a lot of confusion about the naming convention. In some regions, the branding was just "Wiggly Gremlins." In others, the "Whoo Hoo" was tacked on to match the energetic catchphrase used throughout the show. This era marked a transition point. Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, was still the lead singer, and his voice is all over this disc. For many "Gen Wiggle" parents, this is the definitive version of the band. It’s before the health issues that eventually led to Greg’s first departure, and the energy is palpable.
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The DVD also included some "Special Features" that were pretty high-tech for 2003. We’re talking about interactive menus where you could choose specific songs or watch the "Wiggly News" segments. It sounds primitive now, but back then, being able to jump straight to "The Dancing Flowers" was a godsend for parents trying to survive a long rainy afternoon.
Why Does This Specific DVD Still Have a Following?
Nostalgia is a powerful drug. But specifically, The Wiggles Whoo Hoo Wiggly Gremlins DVD represents the moment the production values truly spiked. If you compare it to Wiggle Time (1993), it’s like night and day. The colors are more saturated. The sets are more complex. It feels like a "big" production.
Collectors also hunt for this specific release because of the "Giggles" and "Gremlins" dichotomy. There was a brief period where the Wiggles were experimenting with different types of comedy—slapstick, prop humor, and these puppet interludes. Not all of it stuck. The Gremlins eventually faded into the background of Wiggles history, replaced by newer characters and eventually the "New Generation" cast.
Because they aren't a core part of the current 2026 Wiggles lineup, these gremlin characters feel like a "lost" piece of the puzzle. It’s that feeling of: "Wait, did I dream those puppets?" No, you didn’t. They were real, they were colorful, and they were definitely on that DVD.
Breaking Down the Content: What's on the Disc?
If you managed to find a copy in a thrift store today, here is what you would actually find inside. The main feature is essentially a compilation of "Series 2" episodes. Unlike the later "Series 3" which was more polished and international, Series 2 had a very specific Australian charm that felt a bit more homegrown despite the increased budget.
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Key Musical Highlights
- "Knock Knock, Who's There?" – A classic repetitive song that used the Gremlins to introduce basic jokes.
- "Testing One, Two, Three" – A song about sound and music that highlighted the group's actual musical background (Jeff Fatt and Anthony Field were in the 80s pop band The Cockroaches, after all).
- "Walking on the Moon" – A bit of a psychedelic trip for the preschool set.
The DVD also featured some guest appearances. This was a hallmark of the era. The Wiggles would bring on traditional dancers, diverse musical guests, and local Australian celebrities. It gave the show a sense of community that many modern, purely CGI children’s shows lack.
Technical Specs and Regional Variations
The DVD was released in both NTSC (North America) and PAL (Australia/UK) formats. Interestingly, the Australian version often had slightly different tracklistings or bonus promos for other Hit Entertainment releases (like Bob the Builder or Thomas & Friends).
One thing people forget: the aspect ratio. This was the era of the 4:3 "square" television. If you play The Wiggles Whoo Hoo Wiggly Gremlins DVD on a modern 4K OLED TV, you’re going to get those big black bars on the sides. The video quality is definitely "standard definition," which adds to that lo-fi, cozy aesthetic. It’s grainy. It’s soft. It looks like 2003 feels.
The Cultural Impact of the Wiggly Gremlins
Why did they stop using the Gremlins? Usually, in children’s entertainment, characters are retired if they don't test well with focus groups or if the cost of puppetry outweighs the "brand value." The Gremlins were fun, but they weren't Dorothy. You couldn't sell plush Gremlins as easily as you could sell a Wags the Dog plush.
However, the "Whoo Hoo" era solidified the Wiggles as more than just a band. It proved they could carry a narrative-driven show. It laid the groundwork for their future TV deals and the eventual expansion into the multi-cast franchise we see today. Without the experimentation seen in the Wiggly Gremlins era, the brand might have stayed static. Instead, they leaned into the weirdness.
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How to Find a Copy in 2026
You won't find this on the front racks of a store anymore. It’s a legacy item. If you’re looking to relive the "Whoo Hoo" magic, your best bet is the secondary market. eBay and local charity shops are the gold mines here.
Be careful with the condition, though. DVDs from this era were often handled by toddlers who treated discs like frisbees. Look for "Tested" or "Resurfaced" listings. Interestingly, some of the content has migrated to the official Wiggles YouTube channel under "Classic Wiggles" playlists, but the specific flow and "vibe" of the original DVD menu and transitions are lost in the digital shuffle.
Actionable Steps for Parents and Collectors
If you are a parent looking to introduce your kids to the "Classic" Wiggles, or a collector trying to complete the set, here is what you should do:
- Verify the Region: Make sure you aren't buying a PAL disc if you have a US-based DVD player, unless you have a region-free player.
- Check for the Insert: The original releases often came with a small booklet or a promotional flyer for "Wiggles World" merchandise. These are rare finds now and add significantly to the value for collectors.
- Look for the Hit Entertainment Logo: This signifies the original distribution run. Later reprints might have different cover art or compressed video quality.
- Use the Song List as a Tool: If your kid loves a specific song like "Lights, Camera, Action," this DVD is the "home" for that era's specific performance.
- Digitize Your Copy: If you do find a clean disc, rip it to a digital file. Physical media from 2003 is prone to "disc rot," and the Wiggly Gremlins era is too fun to lose to a oxidized layer of plastic.
The Wiggles Whoo Hoo Wiggly Gremlins DVD remains a testament to a time when children’s television was willing to be a little bit chaotic, very colorful, and deeply earnest. It’s more than just a nostalgia trip; it’s a piece of entertainment history from the biggest kids' band in the world.